1997 GMC JIMMY Owner's Manual

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but
be sure the vehicles aren*t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want.
You wouldn't be able to
start your vehicle,
and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You co~~ld
be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking
brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a manual
transmission
in NEUTRAL (N). If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle with a manual transfer case
shift lever, be sure
the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL (Nj.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the ci, wsette
lighter, or accessory power outlets,
if you have this
option. Turn off all
lamps that aren't needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries.
In addition, it could save your radio!
I NOTICE:
If' you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged, The repair wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
- -
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
electric fan under the hood can start up
even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
5-4

CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight
if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the Delco Freedom"' battery
installed in every new
CbI vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it
is low, add water to take care
of that first. If
you don't, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
6. Connect the red
positive (+) cable to
the positive
(+) terminal
of the vehicle with the
de.ad battery.
5-5

7. Don't let the other end
touch metal. Contwct it to
the positive (+) terminal
8. Now connect the
black negative (-) cable
to the good battery's
negative
(-) terminal.
Don't let the other
end
touch anything until the
next step. The other end
of the negative cable
doesn't go to the dead
battery.
It pes to a heavy
unpainted metal ~U'I on
the engine of the vehicle
with the dead battery.
9. Attach the cable at least
18 inches (45 crn) away
from
the dead battery,
but
not near engine purts
that ITIOW.
The electrical
connection
is just as
good there, but the
chance
of sparks getting
back to
the battery is
much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for ;1 while.
1 I. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it
won't start after a few tries make sure all
connections we good. If it still won't start. it
probably needs service.
A CAUTION:
I
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines arc running.
5-6

1- E3 +I
Towing Your Vehicle
5-7

c A -T-l[BN:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
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Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always use separate safety chains on each
side when towing
a vehicle.
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
I
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequatelJT secured. This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should
he tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut
by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted
in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They
will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
5-8

When your vehicle is being towed. have the ignition key
turned to the OFF position. The steering wheel should
be cla111ped
in a straight-alwad position with a clamping
device designed for towing service. Do not use the
vehicle's steering column lock for this. The transmission
should be
in NEUTRAL (N) and the transfer case, if you
have one. should be in 2HI. The parking brake should
be released.
If your vehicle 11as a floor mounted shifter and no
electrical power, the electrical solenoid lock must be
overridden to shift from PARK (P) to NEUTRAL (N).
Follow these steps:
1. Push the base of the shift lever boot forward \%7ith
your tlwmb.
2. Lift the boot and find the white solenoid lever.
3.
4.
5.
Move the solenoid lever toward the driver's side to
unlock
it.
While holding the solenoid lever in the ~~nlock
position. press the shift lever button and shift into
NEUTRAL (N).
5-9

NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascia/fog lamp damage
will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment. To help avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance
is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
5-10

NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or rear
bumper valance damage
will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment.
Unless you have all-wheel drive, to help avoid
damage, install
a towing dolly and raise the
vehicle until adequate clearance
is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or ,J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted
in
the T-hook slots.
5-11